Coverage Information
Universal Health Care Insurance Company, Inc.

Do I have health care coverage now?

Yes. Beneficiaries currently enrolled in UHC and UHCIC will not experience a gap in their Medicare coverage. Effective April 1, 2013, CMS automatically enrolled beneficiaries who were UHC and UHCIC enrollees in Original Medicare through which they were able to obtain Original Medicare (Part A and B) coverage. Those beneficiaries who also had prescription drug coverage through UHC or UHCIC were enrolled into a comparable Prescription Drug Plan, either Coventry Health Care, Inc., Envision Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company or United Healthcare. Beneficiaries can learn which Prescription Drug Plan they are enrolled in by contacting 1-800-MEDICARE.

Beneficiaries impacted by the contract termination were mailed a notice explaining the changes in coverage and providing information about their new prescription drug coverage. They will also receive a letter from their new Prescription Drug Plan. Beneficiaries will be able to continue to see their current primary and specialty care providers under Original Medicare. Those currently in the hospital or receiving skilled nursing care or other medical treatments will continue with such care without interruption.

Other options open to beneficiaries:

Affected beneficiaries can choose to enroll in another Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan, if they do not want to remain in Original Medicare or the newly assigned Prescription Drug Plan. They have been granted a special election period during which they may make one change in their Medicare health care and prescription drug coverage. This special election period is in effect now through May 31, 2013. Coverage in the new plan is effective the first of the month following their plan selection.

If you or your patients need more information regarding Medicare, other Medicare Advantage plans, or coverage options from 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2013, please visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

If I need to go to the hospital or need to seek other emergency care, who will authorize my medical treatment?

If you have a medical emergency (you believe your health is in serious danger):

Get medical help as quickly as possible. Call 911 for help or go to the nearest emergency room. You do not need to get permission or authorization from your provider.

Make sure that your provider knows about your emergency so that they can be involved in following up on your emergency care. You or someone else should call to tell your provider about your emergency care as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours.

Please refer to the letter you receive from CMS for details regarding your continued health care coverage from 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2013.

Who is SHINE and how can they assist me?

SHINE is a statewide, volunteer-based program offering free Medicare and health insurance education, counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families and caregivers. SHINE is funded through a grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

For additional information, go to their website at www.floridashine.org or call 1-800-963-5337 to request services.